An Exploratory Study of In-Cabin Music Engagement Among Young-Adult Drivers

Not much is known about young-adults' everyday behaviors involving music while driving. To widen the inquiry, Slor and Brodsky (Slor, 2019) developed the In-Cabin Music Engagement Questionnaire (iCMEQ). The purpose of the current study was to solicit information about the use of music based on drive types, driving scenarios, driver behaviors and affective dispositions, as well as drivers' beliefs about in-cabin music. Finally, the In-Cabin Music Engagement Questionnaire highlights the imaginary enactment of a music performance by drivers while otherwise engaged in driving on the road. A total of 140 young-adult drivers in Israel completed this survey. The findings show that all respondents listened to music while driving a car; that they preplan playlists based on the driving conditions they expect to encounter; and they use music to self-regulate affect and mood while on the road. Social media has exposed young-adult drivers to conflicting messages about the effects of music on driver behavior, and, subsequently, they demonstrate great uncertainty about the effects of music engagement on driver concentration and vehicular control. As a result, young drivers may be more at risk by engaging in music than they perceive.